First rule of landscape photography is—use a foreground to anchor your image in.

The second rule of landscape photography is—use a foreground to anchor your image in.

Foreground. Foreground. Foreground. The boon or bane of a successful landscape photograph.

True enough, especially if you’re using an UWA (Ultra Wide Angle) lens, a foreground helps in leading your viewer’s eyes around your photo. It makes them explore it. It makes them pause and look some more.

But sometimes there are instances when such rules do not apply. Times that you simply have to toss the rule book and go with your gut feel.